Full results | Red Bull dominance at its peak, Verstappen on pole
Qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix proved to be a winner for Max Verstappen. The Dutchman secured pole position for the fourth time in a row this season, thus maintaining his 100% qualifying record in the current Formula 1 season. Verstappen's teammate, Sergio Perez, is on P2.
The first run in Q1 for Verstappen was immediately good. The Red Bull driver was four tenths faster than Perez in the first run and immediately topped the timesheet. After Q1, Lance Stroll had already finished, as he did not get beyond 16th place. Extra special because teammate Fernando Alonso put his car in second place during that session.
Also in the first part of Q2, Verstappen and Perez were by far the fastest on the grid. Leclerc took the gamble of not going out again. This proved successful, as the Ferrari driver moved on in P9. In the first run of Q3, Verstappen was the fastest, and in the third part of qualifying too, no one matched the Red Bull driver's time.